Projecting Ravens 53-Man Roster, Starters
Position battle winners and roster bubble spots will be decided over the next five weeks as training camp officially opens with its first practice Thursday.
But why not take a crack at deciding the final 53-man roster and starting roles now?
That’s what ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley did over the weekend, and when the final cutdown is announced Sept. 5, we can look back to see how close he got. Below are Hensley’s projections, along with predicted starters highlighted with an asterisk.
Quarterbacks (2)
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Hensley: “At this point, the Ravens are pretty set with their roster heading into training camp. The one area that Baltimore would like to upgrade is at the No. 3 quarterback spot.”
Running backs (3)
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Fullbacks (1)
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Wide receivers (6)
Make it: Steve Smith*,
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Hensley: “This is the biggest position battle in camp. It's going to come down to Breshad Perriman, Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown. I still believe Perriman has the edge because he is the only receiver on the team who has the skill set to replace Torrey Smith as the team's deep threat. … [I[t wouldn't surprise me if [Aiken] is the starter early in the season. But Perriman is an intriguing playmaker and he should be the starter by the end of the season.”
Tight ends (3)
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Hensley: “[Gillmore] is competing against Williams for the starting job, but Pitta would surpass both of them if he plays this season.”
Offensive tackles (3)
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Guards (4)
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Centers (2)
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Defensive tackles (4)
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Hensley: “[Jernigan] replaces Haloti Ngata after recording four sacks in 12 games.”
Defensive ends (2)
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Outside linebackers (4)
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Hensley: “[Upshaw] splits the starting role with Elvis Dumervil, but Upshaw is the stronger run-stopper.”
Inside linebackers (5)
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Cornerbacks (6)
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Safeties (5)
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Specialists (3)
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Fans can take their own stab at picking the team when our annual You Pick the Team Contest launches this Thursday.
Monroe Injuries Shouldn’t Be A Problem
Last year didn’t go the way starting left tackle Eugene Monroe envisioned when he signed a long-term contract extension before the season. The offensive lineman missed six games througout the regular season with a knee problem and then both playoff contests because of an ankle injury.
The injuries took a toll on Monroe, but don’t expext that trend to continue.
“If we compare 2014 to the other five seasons of Monroe's career, it looks like an anomaly,” wrote Chuck Mills of Baltimore Beatdown.
Hensley noted that Monroe played 4,638 snaps over his first five seasoons, eighth most of any left tackle in the NFL.
Monroe told reporters at minicamp in June he was healthy again after having time to recover. He will be back in the starting lineup when training camp begins, and the Ravens will return all five of their starters from last year’s offensive front.
The offensive line is expected to be a strength of the team this year, and Monroe has lofty expectations for what the team can accomplish this year.
"We talk about being a dominant team and winning games," Monroe said on Glenn Clark Radio. "That's our ultimate goal, and everything we do is to achieve that goal. It's every team's goal, and you can't be afraid to inspire to it."
Ray Rice Ramping Up Efforts To Return
Former Ravens running back Ray Rice hasn’t caught on with another team since the Ravens cut him last September, but ESPN reported that Rice is ramping up his efforts to get a tryout with an NFL team.
“It’s been quiet, and that’s why he is working so hard to strum up some kind of interest because he knows his best shot, it has to be some time in training camp because he has been out of football for so long,” Hensley said.
Rice hasn’t been linked to any teams, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that “teams privately have discussed the idea of bringing in Rice.”
Schefter also reported that the national organization “A CALL TO MEN,” which encourages men to end violence against women, is advocating for Rice to get another chance in the NFL.
"We have been around a lot of abusive men, but our experience with Ray has been tremendously positive," organization co-founder Tony Porter said. "We feel strongly about him having the opportunity of having a second chance. He's deserving of it."
Rookies Passing Physicals
Rookies reported to training camp last week, and The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson has kept a line on who has passed their physicals ahead of Thursday’s first practice.
Wilson reported that running back Buck Allen, cornerback Tray Walker and offensive lineman Leon Brown were all initially placed on the non-football injury list. But they have since passed the team conditioning test and physical, and are now cleared to practice.
Quick Hits
About to dye my beard Purple for the season
— Will Hill III (@WillThrill25) July 25, 2015 #ThatAwkwardMoment u try to surprise ur wife by flying home earlier than expected & shes not home & all the doors are locked & u have no key
— Justin Forsett (@JForsett) July 24, 2015 .@Ravens Go Emoji’s For All: http://t.co/MU6ik5GzfW by @JoeFav #smsports
— SportTechie (@SportTechie) July 26, 2015 Another kicker signs deal, which should gain attention of #Ravens and Justin Tucker (@jtuck9) https://t.co/q1D4B9yDdb
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) July 26, 2015 Among the new procedures in light of Deflategate, the NFL will introduce random football pressure checking at... http://t.co/j8TuD4CT5S
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) July 27, 2015 Rick Wagner no longer has pain from Lisfranc foot sprain, likely to play in preseason, but team plans to be cautious with him, per sources
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 24, 2015 
